FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Vehicular anti-theft device which functions to secure a vehicle by securing one or more of the road-wheels of the vehicle by inhibiting the movement of one or more of the vehicle 's disc brake rotors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

U. S. Patent number 4,622,833 Shepherd Nov. 18. 1986

3,763,674 Zahner Oct. 09, 1973 3,995,461 Hudson Dec. 07, 1976

To my knowledge the aforementioned patents constitute the Prior Art.

To my knowledge there is no wheel securing invention which:

(A) provides for the securing of a wheel by intersection of holes in that wheel's disc brake,

(B) that automatically functions (without operator action) to secure the vehicle by securing the position of the wheel, (C) that, while being electrically operated, requires neither electric voltage nor electric current to maintain its function (activated or deactivated),

(D) which effects the insertion of a locking device for the securing of the vehicle irrespective of the positioning of the locking device in respect to its receptors,

(E) that, while being electrically operated cannot be circumvented by the removal of the power from the device, and

(F) that does not require the use of a key lock mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A mechanism designed to be externally attached to, or inbuilt with, a vehicle's disc brake which provides for the deployment of a rigid member into holes in a disc brake rotor so as to prevent the movement of the wheel which is involved with that brake. In the attached version, a disc brake position-controlling mechanism which may be installed and operated without either necessitating the disruption of the disc brake mechanism or hampering the normal operation of the disc brake, a mechanism which could, in future manufacture, be constructed of as a component of the disc brake system.

Further providing an electronic, mechanical, manual, or hydraulic powered mechanism which by virtue of its components and their disposition constitute a mechanism with an either/or natural state of rest, such that there is no power required to maintain its activated or deactivated position. Further still, providing a remotely controlled, brake securing device which preferably utilizes the disc brake heat-sink recesses as the operative holes into which it deploys its rigid member.

In the simplest form, embodiment one, figure 1, the invention consists of a solenoid which is mounted to a disc brake caliper in such a position so as to point its drive rod toward the center of the disc brake rotor from the center of that rotor's edge surface. Further, this solenoid deploys a drive rod which is configured to be able to intersect the heat-sink recesses in the disc brake rotor. Therein movement of the wheel is prevented by the intersection of the solenoid's drive rod with the brake rotor through the unit's mounting on that brake's caliper.

Said solenoid is preferably powered by the vehicle's battery, at the option of the operator, through the use of an in-line power switch of the on/off variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION CONTINUED

The solenoid is simply mounted by the act of welding, fusing its metal case to the edge of the body of the brake caliper, which is also metal. That is to say, this solenoid body, as mounted, is intersected by and perpendicular to, at the point of contact, the arc of the circle as drawn by the exterior of the disc brake caliper housing.

Although the heretofore described embodiment provides the basic function of the invention, it displays limitations, weaknesses and shortcomings which this inventor considers to be impractical and/or incomplete? i.e., the rod of the solenoid would be, by wheel movement forces, attacked perpendicularly, therein receiving the full effect of any force to move the wheel. Therefore, the invention, to be limitly functional, would require a large and expensive structurally-rigid solenoid. Even such a large solenoid would yet be subject to distortion and malfunctions caused by the force effect of the sideways pressure upon its rod. The external portion of solenoid rods are supported through the length of the rod from the opposing end of that rod by the solenoid body and internal coil windings which are not constructed to withstand sideways forces.

Therefore, this inventor has elected to provide the invention as depicted in the preferred embodiment (figure 2) with a separate structurally rigid pawl or latch. This pawl is positioned by its mounting to intersect the disc-brake rotor's heat-sink recesses. This pawl's intersection of the rotor's heat-sink recesses is accomplished through the functioning of the solenoid. The pawl- configuration and a mounting assembly such as would transfer the majority of force applied from the disc rotor to that pawl's mount¬ ing structure in lieu of to the solenoid which deploys the pawl.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION CONTINUED

Further, the inventor provides the invention with a specific 'field-reversing or self-switching' solenoid or solenoid assembly. Preferably the invention is provided with a single field-reversing solenoid. This solenoid is deployed from a mounting on the body of the caliper unit of a vehicular disc brake. The action of this solenoid is initiated through power from the vehicle's battery. The drive of the solenoid's internal/external rod, when initially activated, physically contacts a pawl or latch-type of intersect¬ ing lock, so as to push the latch into the disc rotor. This pawl or latch-type of intersecting-lock is provided to the disc brake at the edge surface of the rotor. The intersecting end of the latch pawl is configured so as to be able to enter the rotor through the heat-sink slots of the rotor, therein to be maintained and to inhibit the movement of the rotor by its configuration and the rigidity deployed thereof.

When the pawl is in intersection with the rotor heat-sink, the forces for movement applied to the wheel are transferred. The forces are transferred through the configurational rigidity of the pawl to the physical rigidity of the pawl's mounting bracket, therein preventing movement of the wheel.

The special solenoid provides the invention with a further utility of allowing the device to remain in a functional position (in the pre-determined—engaged or disengaged—preset position). Such that, in the event that the unit's power source is removed, as in a burglar's attempt to circumvent the invention by cutting its power wires or by removal of the battery from the system, the invention is still in operation.

The inventor has developed the function of this special solenoid in order to provide a control unit that is electrically at rest at either end of its throw. This provision is made so as to eliminate the need for electric voltage or current when the device is either completely activated or completely deactivated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION CONTINUED

NOTE: Barring the feasibility of constructing or obtaining the envisioned variety of solenoid, the inventor will utilize a dual solenoid or a pair of solenoids, operating in reverse directions to each other. Said solenoid unit would be provided with end limit locks and switches so as to provide the desired function and characteristics of operation of the herein described preferable embodiment of the invention.

Obviously this invention facilitates itself to the use of the electrical solenoid or any other reversible power application device (i.e., hydraulic pumps or electric motors) such as would push the pawl's latch end into one of the heat-sink recesses of the disc and such as would be capable of electively removing said latch thereafter. In the preferred embodiment the inventor has selected solenoid use for the convenience of both physical size and remote control-ability as well as its electro-physical adaptability to the special auxiliary benefits of equipment override switches, indication lights, etc. which are provided to this invention.

Neither of these direct solenoid variations (inbuilt or attached) of the invention are considered as preferable by the inventor because: (a) Both of the aforementioned provide that the the solenoid body be perpendicular to (and therefore also somewhat radiantly outward of) the caliper body which produces (considering the art of solenoids) a physical height radiantly outward of the caliper body which is limiting to the range of application of the device. Many vehicles are constructed such that there is little clearance between the caliper body and the vehicle's wheel and tire and steering/shock mechanisms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION CONTINUED

(b) The direct use of a solenoid, unless this solenoid is spring- mounted (which is considered as another embodiment of the invent- ion, as it is herewithin described), will not provide for the preferred characteristic of "pressured toward intersection" such as is deemed beneficial to the invention in order to provide for the occurrence of the rotor's position being such that the solenoid rod would strike a rotor wall section (the wall section is the part of the rotor which is between the heat-sink recesses) in lieu of directly penetrating a heat-sink recess.

Further, the inventor perceives the use of hydraulics or air pressure/vacuum mechanisms as a means of control of the intersecting rod—especially in versions which would incorporate holes in the disc brake caliper body as rod guides as an embodiment which would relieve the physical area constraints. Again, the inventor does not, at this time, consider such to be the preferred embodiment because: (a) the complexity and cost of support mechanism required for such an embodiment are extreme; (b) the fallability of pressure/vacuum systems, due to pressure leaks iπ_pairs dependability; and (c) the support mechanism for such pressure/vacuum systems (i.e., a vacuum tank and hoses) provide accessibility and vulnerability to sabotage, of the system, during an attempt to circumvent the device for purposes of theft.

Further still, both of the above mentioned embodiments display (considering the state of the art of such devices) a drawback to consumer usage. That is, the force receiving part (the part subject to requiring most frequent replacement) is an integral part of the system in lieu of being a separate, detachable, and easily-replaceable, cost-effective component. This is a situation which this inventor considers impractical.

DESCRIPTION OF THE OPERATION

In the preferred embodiment (Fig. 2) the device's pawl (B), in the deactivated position of rest, is not within a heat-sink of the disc brake rotor (see Figure 5), but is maintained poised in position to be thusly inserted.

The electrical operational components and the sequence of the electrical circuit passive mode operation are as follows:

During the running of the vehicle's engine a timer capacitor is charged through contacts with the engine's ignition circuit (or through the auxiliary circuits of the ignition key). When the engine is cut off, by means of the key, the capacitor is permitted to discharge through a resistive timer circuit. (Said timer preferably being at least 30 seconds in duration for safety sake and not more than three minutes for the sake of functionality of the unit. ) Expiration of the timer activates the timer switch which causes a voltage to be applied to the solenoid (1) which pushes the basic drive rod (3) causing it to impose a pushing force through spring (9) which is contained in collar restraint (10) upon the secondary drive rod (4) through its physical connection with the pawl body (8) which pushes the pawl to pivot about its axle mount (6) into pawl end insertion within a brake rotor heat-sink slot. or In the event that the latch end of the pawl body (8) strikes a heat-sink section separator therein preventing insertion of the latch into a heat-sink recess: solenoid (1) extends drive rod (3) to compress spring (9) within its retaining collar (10) to tend to push secondary drive rod (4) which maintains tension on pawl (8) until either the disc is rotated, therein physically permitting the insertion of pawl-latch end into the first available heat-sink; or, the unit is electively deactivated through the electrical control (as previously described) by the operator.

Summary of the Invention

The invention consists of a rigid pawl or latch-type rod which is pivotable or deployable from a rigid mounting to engage the heat-sink recesses of the disc brake through the provision of a powering mechanism and a mounting mechanism.

In the simpliest form, the invention consists of a solnoid which is mounted to a disc brake caliper in such a position so as to point toward the center of the rotor from the center of it's edge surface. Further, this solenoid deployes a drive rod which is configured to be able to intersect the heat-sine gaps in the disc brake rotor to prevent the movement of the wheel which is connected to that brake hub.

Further, the inventor provides the device with a separately mounted pivotable paul which is positioned by the activation of the solnoid. Further, this inventor provides a paul-shape such as would transfer the majority of any force applied to that paul to it's mounting structure in lieu of to the solnoid which deployes the pawl.

When the paul is in intersection with the disc heat-sine, all forces for movement applied to the wheel are transferred to the physical rigidity of the pauls mounting bracket therein preventing movement of the wheel.

Further still, there is provided a field reversing solnoid or a solenoid unit capable of acting as the solenoid unit described.

Summary of the Invention Continued

Further yet, there is a spring member which acts to establish the potental for the insertion of this device's lock pawl in the event that the pawl should not be exactly positioned for entry to the disk brake rotor at the time of activation.

Additionally, there is an activation circuit which is preferably an automatic timer circuit. This circuit would preferably activate the device when the engine has been stopped for a peroid of time.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 depicts a solenoid mounted in a position to deploy its drive rod into a hole in a wheel (23). This figure also depicts the simplest election of a circuit for the operation of this unit; wherein the battery is (19) switch (20) ground (21) coil (22).

Figure 2 Number 1 is the solenoid. Number 2 is the solenoid mounting bracket. Number 3 is the solenoid's drive rod, Number 4 is the secondary drive rod,

Number 5 is the mounting plate, Number 6 is the pawl axle, Number 7 is the axle mounting bracket,

Number 8 is the pawl (or latch), Number 9 is a compression spring, Number 10 is the spring/rod collar (retainer), and Number 11 is a pivotable connection.

In Figure 3, Number 1 is a pull-type solenoid

Number 2 are the power connections.

Number 3 is the solenoid drive rod, Number 4 is the secondary drive rod,

Number 5 is a "T" contacting extension,

Number 6 is a mounting bracket, Number 7 is a mounting post,

Number 8 is a pawl or latch, Number 9 is a compression spring,

Number 10 is a pivotable mounting post, Number 11 is a tension spring, Number 12 is a heat-sink recess,

Number 13 is a disc brake rotor,

Number 14 is the disc brake caliper body. Number 15 is a spring retaining collar, Number 16 is the latch end, and

Number 17 is the section between the heat-sink recess.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS CONTINUED

Figure 4 depicts the general positioning of the solenoid (1) in relation to the caliper (14) and the heat-sink recess (12) of a disc brake rotor (13) with a weld mounting (18) as per the basic principals of the invention.

Figure 5 depicts the preferable enbodiment and its positioning on a disk brake caliper and in reference to the rotor.

Figure 6 depicts the positioning and size of a disc brake unit in relation to the cut away of the tire and wheel, for better understanding of the interim steps required to develop the preferred enbodiment.